Staff WriterThe Singapore Open is back — and Soomin Lee has picked up right where he left off more than a decade ago. The Korean shot a sublime eight-under-par 64 on the New Course at Singapore Island Country Club, moving to 12-under and seizing a two-shot lead heading into the weekend.
Lee, 32, has a knack for saving his best golf for this venue. Fourteen years ago, he fired the same number — 64 — to finish runner-up to Hideki Matsuyama in the 2011 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. “I have good memories here, no doubt,” said Lee. “It’s why, when I come here, I feel comfortable, and play with more confidence.”
This week’s Singapore Open is no nostalgia act, though. The New Course has been redesigned since Lee’s last heroics, yet he handled it with precision — nine birdies and a lone bogey, including a blistering run of four on the trot starting at the third.
“I started a little slow but bounced back,” Lee said. “Yesterday I felt something really good with my putter. I felt if I hit fairways and greens, I would have chances today. That’s why I played well today.”
A Familiar Stage, A New Opportunity
With the Singapore Open returning for the first time since 2022 as part of The International Series — a US$2 million event that acts as a gateway to the LIV Golf League — Lee knows what’s at stake. A strong finish could cement his Asian Tour card for next year.
He’s already trending upward after a top-10 finish in the International Series Philippines two weeks ago, climbing to 72nd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. “A good week here will fix everything,” Lee said with a grin that suggested quiet confidence more than bravado.
The closing stretch at Singapore Island Country Club invites drama, and Lee plans to take full advantage. “Number 17 and 18, I felt are easy holes,” he explained. “I can hit the green at number 17 and 18. If I hit a good driver I can go for the green on 17, like today. On 18 I was just short in two and got up and down for a four.”
The Chasers Close In
Behind him, the chasing pack includes ten players within two shots — a traffic jam of contenders featuring Kevin Yuan, Matthew Cheung, Ian Snyman, and John Catlin, among others. Catlin, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, posted a bogey-free 66 highlighted by an eagle on the par-five fourth.
“Pretty solid,” Catlin said. “You know, I drained a long one for eagle on four, it’s always nice, but it’s just a solid bogey free round of golf.”
The American’s consistency is returning after a rocky spell. “I’m definitely playing better,” he added. “The misses are better. I’ve got only two bogeys for 36 holes, so yeah, it’s nice to see the hard work paying off.”
Wang, Tabuena, and the Amateur Surprise
Jeunghun Wang, who narrowly lost a playoff at the SJM Macao Open and leads the Taiwan PGA Tour with three wins, remains in the mix after a 70. His improvement this year, he said, was sparked by his first PGA Tour start at the Canadian Open in June.
“I watched a lot of great players,” Wang reflected. “I could see what the best in the world do and how they hit their shots. I saw what I needed to improve on.”
Meanwhile, Miguel Tabuena has put himself in prime position to capitalise, carding a 68 to sit at eight-under — now the man most likely to take advantage after Order of Merit leader Kazuki Higa and International Series front-runner Scott Vincent both missed the cut.
And in a refreshing subplot, two Singapore amateurs are making the most of their home turf spotlight. Brayden Lee’s 68 moved him to seven-under, while 16-year-old Troy Storm — who looked to be fading after going three-over through 13 — finished with a flurry of three birdies in the final four holes to make the weekend at five-under, tying none other than Paul Casey.
A Leader With unfinished Business
Lee has one DP World Tour win to his name — the 2016 Shenzhen International — and five on the Korean PGA Tour, but another big moment feels overdue. The Singapore Open could be just that: a reminder of the past and a gateway to a renewed future.
He’s been here before. Now, with two rounds left, the question is whether he can stay there.
